“Leave,” repeated Kouansishus.
“I don’t want to leave you alone with this recorder. She might try to interfere,” he said.
“He’s the one interfering,” the recorder said, retreating to the far side of the bed.
Kezule hissed his anger, crest rising and darkening with rage. The female moved, skittering across beside Kouansishus.
“I do nothing,” said Kouansishus as Zayshul gave a long drawn out shriek. “I watch.”
Kezule fumbled for the doorknob behind him. “She’s the important one,” he said forcefully. “I don’t give a damn about eggs or succession, see she’s safe!”
“I hear.”
The door opened, catapulting him back into the lounge.
“This interference by another species is not acceptable,” began the doctor until he caught sight of Kezule’s face.
“If she dies, so will you,” he said quietly, pointing a finger at him as he advanced into the room. “Inch by inch, as I flay the hide from your living body to make a grave covering for her! Do you understand me? Your pointless rules are what placed her life at risk!”
He thrust the doctor aside and headed for the cabinet where they kept their strong liquor. Taking a bottle and a glass from it, he sat down in a chair facing the bedroom and poured himself a drink.
“D’haalmu, guard him. Q’almo, cover the outer door,” he ordered, taking a small sip.
*
He’d drunk half the bottle before the door opened and the recorder came out.
“She’s fine, and so is the egg,” the female said, glancing nervously at the gun D’haalmu was holding on the doctor.
Kezule put his glass down, and, as sober as when he’d begun, got to his feet. “Hold onto her too, Q’almo,” he said. “I want to see for myself.”
Zayshul lay motionless in the bed but now there was a healthy green tint to her skin, rather than the deathly pallor he’d seen earlier. At the far side of the bed stood an incubator. In it sat an ovoid leathery egg not much bigger than the size of his clenched fist.
As Kouansishus unfolded himself, Kezule noticed the smell. The scents from earlier had gone, replaced by an odor he could almost taste. It was pleasant, reminding him vaguely of warm grass. He could smell none of the perfumes that had filled the TeLaxaudins’ own quarters, only this.
“Is fine. Sleeps. Nothing I needed do.”
“Nothing?” he asked, flicking his tongue out to taste the air.
The hands gestured, one reaching beneath the fronds of drapery to his belt. He took something from it, and advancing on Kezule in his strange gait, he handed it to him. “Scent for pain only.” He reached out and touched Kezule on the nose with a twiglike finger. “Here. Work on thinking. You more reproduce later.”
Cautiously he sniffed the container. It hadn’t been used. So where had the scent come from? Unless it was one they produced naturally themselves.
“Thank you,” he said, pocketing it and following the TeLaxaudin back to the lounge door. “Release the doctor and the recorder,” he said tiredly to D’haalmu. “And escort our TeLaxaudin visitors to their transport.” Then he returned to the bedroom.
He stopped to look at the egg in its heated nest. Already the leathery shell was beginning to harden, losing its flaccid appearance and filling out. Colors were beginning to emerge on its surface, wisps of green and blue. Now it resembled those he’d guarded on Shola, though it was definitely smaller. Strange to think this small object that was a potential person could also have caused Zayshul’s death.
He moved away from it, going round to sit on the bed beside her. Touching her chest, he found her breathing was slow and even. She was deeply asleep, and just as well, he thought, hoping she didn’t remember what she’d gone through. The suffering of prisoners and soldiers wasn’t new to him, but the sounds she’d made while giving birth to their egg had shaken him. It had taught him she meant more to him than he could easily admit to himself.
A curious numbness seemed to possess his mind as he sat there, waiting for her to wake. One thought did surface; now that this was successfully over, he was closer to leaving K’oish’ik. Now he could plan the assault on the Directorate headquarters and the capture of the Sholan hybrids.
the Couana, Zhal-S’Asha 21st day (October)
“So three of the Valtegan outposts we’ve found are on a plane just above Jalna,” said Banner, studying the holo-cube display thoughtfully. “With our fourth way down here by M’zull and J’kirtikk, it suggests there should be more in both vicinities.”
“That’s what I think,” he agreed.
“Aren’t we getting cozy,” said Dzaou from the doorway.
He looked up sharply, banging his head against Banner’s as he did. “Sorry,” he muttered, rubbing his skull. “What is it, Dzaou? We’re busy, unless it’s important.”
Dzaou came into his office, looking at the holo-cube. “You briefing Banner?”
“Yes,” he said shortly, standing up. “What is it?”
“Watch change is over. Banner’s supposed to relieve Khadui.”
He switched off the imager. “We’ll continue this later,” he said to Banner.
Banner nodded and headed off for the bridge.
“Anything the rest of us should know?” Dzaou asked.
“Not yet,” he said, checking his wrist comm as he sat down behind the desk. “And not that. If you’re off duty, you could do worse than check over your kit.”
“You haven’t briefed us yet. We don’t know what we’ll need.”
“Personal weapons should always be kept ready, as should your first aid pack. Standard procedure— for us. I don’t suppose it was any different in your time.”
“You keep making references to my time,” said Dzaou, hair beginning to rise around his face. “Just what are you trying to say, Kusac?”
“Captain,” he reminded him quietly, leaning back in his chair and locking eyes with him. “You trained under Ghezu, I assume. I trained when Rhyaz was Guild Master. Now, unlike you, I’ve work to do. Dismissed.”
Dzaou’s hair rose further but he bit back his anger and inclined his head in a jerky salute before leaving.
As the door hissed shut behind him, Kusac let out the breath he’d been holding. It was going to come to blows between him and Dzaou but now was not the time. He kept Challenging his authority and leadership, and would need to be dealt with publicly— just as Kaid had once done to him. Resolutely, he turned his thoughts away from those days. They were gone for the foreseeable future, maybe for good. Banner was right, he had to finish working his way through his past before they reached their rendezvous, otherwise he’d never have the confidence to do what he had to do.
He got up, toggling the privacy lock on the office door before bending down to unlatch the chair from its floor restraints. Pushing it aside, he lifted the square of deck plating to reveal the safe. Inside was the padded case he’d placed there during the first day. Snagging it at either end with his claws, he lifted it up and placed it on the desk, then proceeded to close the safe and restore the chair.
Within the padded compartments were three items. A small gas-powered pistol, a clip of projectile pellets, and an aerosol spray. All were undetectable with standard scanning procedures. He checked the clip, making sure each of the ten pellets had been fed in properly, then loaded it, slipping the pistol into an inside pocket of his jacket. Picking up the spray, he held it tightly in his hand. It and the pellets represented months of work by the science labs at Anchorage and deep under Stronghold. Developed from the resinous green la’quo stones found on Jalna, this was a chemical agent that affected not only the Valtegan nervous system, but specifically targeted their Warrior caste. If rumors were to be believed, it destroyed several key chemicals and the glands that produced them, permanently affecting their ability to increase their speed, endurance and deep healing. It didn’t kill them, but it did even the odds when they awakened.
By now, Rhyaz would have discovered it wa
s missing, but he’d wanted some insurance that he and his team would walk out alive from what was obviously a Valtegan trap. He thought of his daughter in Kezule’s grasp, and what had happened to Dzaka and his sister Kitra. This would redress the balance, not just for them, but for what had happened to him on the Prime ship. He smiled, tossing the spray into the air and catching it single-handedly. This could be administered covertly onto food, or drink, or into the air. It could even be sprayed on skin, just as he’d been drugged that last night on the Kz’adul. The thought of that night made him frown briefly.
He put the spray into a pouch on his utility belt, snapping the flap closed. Picking up the box, he shut it and headed for the recycler. Tossing it in, he unlocked the door and made for the bridge. He wanted to check on current fuel levels and consumption. If necessary, they could drop out of jump to refuel at the nearest gas giant. He was leaving nothing to chance on this mission if he could help it.
*
The rest of the day was busy. Off duty personnel worked on weapons and munitions, performing maintenance checks, running simulations. He ran command drills for each shift, making sure everyone understood not only their own controls and functions but each other’s.
Everyone was exhausted when he finally stood them down. Putting the ship on auto and routing the controls to the mess, he gave the duty watch half an hour to take an extra meal break.
“Happier now?” asked Banner, balancing his tray in one hand as he slid into a seat opposite Chima.
“He’s thorough,” she admitted, taking a bite out of her spiced meat stick. “I haven’t been worked so hard before a mission in a long time. Where’d he pick up all those skills? I’ll swear he hasn’t been in the Brotherhood anywhere near long enough.”
“From Kaid. They’re sword-brothers as well as Triad partners.”
“I knew Kaid was training him up at Stronghold, but I hadn’t realized they’d taken the oath,” she said, watching him. “Unusual, considering there’s Carrie.”
“I told you, never make assumptions,” grinned Banner, trying to stab one of the meat balls on his plate.
“Perhaps I owe you an apology. Just don’t let it complicate what’s at stake here.”
Banner looked up, no trace of a smile on his face. “It simplifies it.”
“Score one to you,” she acknowledged quietly.
*
Ears closed and flattened to his skull, he let the hot water beat down over his head and shoulders, feeling the tension gradually leave him. He knew when Banner let himself into the room.
Reaching for the soap dispenser, he squeezed some into his hand and began to massage his hair vigorously. He was almost done when Banner came into the bathing room.
“Want a hand?” Banner called out over the sound of the water. “You got the only Sholan cabin with a shower.”
He hesitated, aware his torc was within easy reach and decided to leave it where it was. “If you want,” he said diffidently, moving to one side of the cubicle.
“Ah, pure luxury,” said Banner, stepping into the shower. Tilting his ears to the side, he lifted his face up to the multijet outlets, running his hands over his ears and down the back of his head. He leaned his hands against the wall, twisting his shoulders under the powerful stream. “I spent three hours crawling underneath one of the magazines, checking the damned thing out because it was sticking,” he said, arching his back to relieve the last of the kinks. “You have no idea how good this is!”
“Here’s the soap,” said Kusac, passing it to Banner as he turned around and braced his arms against the rear wall. As Banner rubbed the soap deep into his pelt in a series of circular motions, he clenched his jaw, tensing his whole body in concentration, trying to cut out his awareness of his Second’s emotions.
After a few minutes, Banner stopped. “If you’d rather leave it, that’s all right, I won’t be offended. You’re not enjoying this, are you?”
“I have my torc off,” he said, resting his head on his outstretched arm. “It isn’t easy.”
He felt Banner lean against him for a moment, hands resting on his shoulders, mutely offering him comfort. When his Second moved, the full force of the jets hit his back.
“Put your torc back on, Kusac,” Banner said. “That’s long enough for the first time, especially when it was such a sustained contact.”
He straightened up, reaching out to retrieve his torc from the bottom of the soap rack. Twisting the finials apart, he slipped it round his neck. The relief was instantaneous. As his muscles relaxed involuntarily, he stumbled, grabbing at the wall to stop himself from falling over. A hand caught him and the water stopped abruptly.
“You’re clean,” Banner said, helping him out of the shower and bundling him into a towel.
“I’m fine,” he said, refusing to move when the other tried to urge him toward the bedroom. “The torc takes control very suddenly, that’s all. You finish your shower.”
“Are you sure?” Banner asked, reaching out to take hold of his face and turn it to the light so he could see his eyes.
He clasped his hand firmly over Banner’s, removing it. His Second’s gesture reminded him of Kaid, and that was one wound too sore to probe right now. “I know how the torc works. This is normal, and temporary. Go finish your shower.”
*
He toweled the worst of the dampness off before putting on his bathrobe and fetching a mug of coffee from the dispenser. He was sitting up in bed drinking it when Banner emerged wearing his own robe.
“I appreciate the invitation to bunk in here, Kusac. I hope you don’t mind but I brought my kit with me,” he said, coming over. “You should have told Father Lijou what was happening to you before you left. I’m sure he’d have spoken to Rhyaz and set the mission back a few days.”
“I decided when to leave,” he said, feeling the sharp pain of his fresh loss. He’d hidden it quite successfully from himself until now. “I couldn’t stay on Shola any longer,” he added, seeing the other’s curious look.
“I’d heard you and Kaid had a blazing row.”
He pulled his knees up until he could wrap his arms around them, as if holding himself tight could help contain the grief. He thought he’d been doing well last night. Obviously he hadn’t. “I don’t see how anyone could know,” he said, his voice husky. “It happened out at his place. Only the three of us and T’Chebbi were there.”
“It was how you looked when you came back,” said Banner, squatting on the end of the bed. “Maybe talking about it will help.”
“No. Not now.”
“What did Kzizysus do to you, Kusac?” Banner asked. “You were never this haunted by the past before he operated on you.”
There was so much he couldn’t tell anyone about what they’d done to him. He knew some of it, but there were a great many questions they’d refused to answer.
PART 2
WAKING
CHAPTER 15
Valsgarth Estate, Zhal-Oeshi, 28th day (August)
“PHRATRY Leader,” said Kzizysus, clasping his hands respectfully in front of his mandibles before entering Annuur’s lounge. Through the transparency of the bulkhead, he could see dawn breaking. “You asked for consultation.”
“Enter, Kzizysus,” said Annuur, sitting upright on his couch to make a gesture of greeting to the TeLaxaudin doctor. “Growth of blood samples from Kusac taken when he had his fever show my bio-component has been effective. Fully sensitized by now he is. Neurological messages unhindered travel to regulator as we wish. New bio-component for final procedure is ready. What is your status?”
Kzizysus stalked over to the couch nearest the Cabbarran and, climbing up onto it, folded himself up comfortably. “Tests of converters and regenerators unnecessary,” he said, large eyes regarding his superior carefully. “Have sample jeggets if Sholans wish to examine. All trace of procedure excreted from them, nothing will be found to show how was done.”
Annuur’s mobile top lip curled back as he smiled in pleasure
. “Is good. And you have prepared enough nano-converters and regenerators for him?”
“Yes, Phratry Leader,” he said. “When combined with your new bio-component, is ready. Regulator device for torc need to adjust. Toueesut must have in torc while we operate. Next day torc must be ready to wear or possibly calamitous for all. Once access to full abilities obtained, must be control, must learn use regulator. For treatment, two days be isolated from everyone but us. Three days here to relearn skills. Five days in all. Will perhaps be periods of violence and frustration. Need others of his species for restraint.”
“We use your children to restrain him. Captain Tirak is ideal. We are lucky. Great loyalty to me he has, will do as we ask and keep own counsel. Also is trusted by Sholans.”
“I do the Camarilla’s will,” said Kzizysus, once more making the gesture of respect with his delicate hands. “When is our work to be done?”
“Today. Will be much excitement here when known son of Jo and Rezac being born. This will divert them from us for one day at least. You did well saving her and child on Kz’adul. Not easily accomplished at short notice.”
Kzizysus chirred with pleasure. “As I have told you, my only regret is I could do nothing to help you and your Rryuk family.”
“You did much. When Camarilla relayed my distress call to you, you ensured Prime ship Kz’adul came for us. Plot of Emperor’s counselor could not be known to us. You did well, Kzizysus.”
Seeing Annuur in such a benign mood, he ventured more. “A question, Phratry Leader. How came about these hybrids? I am not privy to knowledge of the Camarilla, but I know history of U’Churians. Which of us developed these Human and Sholan cubs? Whose children are they?”
“Not for you to ask, Kzizysus,” Annuur said sharply. “Go prepare for surgery, combine our treatments. I will call Tirak and tell him to bring Kusac here.”
the Couana, Zhal-S’Asha, 22nd day (October)
“It began just before the end of Zhal-Oeshi,” he said quietly. “After my fever, Kaid had us moved to larger quarters so he could look after me, but you know that.”
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